Qualified ‘yes’ to Dist. 120 referendum

Daily Herald Editorial Board

A Mundelein High School District 120 referendum on the April 5 ballot asks voters to borrow money to fund repairs and improvements at the school. Officials agree this isn’t the best economy for such a request, but say the 50-year-old facility has structural needs. They are proposing to extend debt that would otherwise be paid off next year. If the referendum is approved, the current tax rate would not increase, and the loan would be paid off within seven years, officials said. At that point, the rate would drop. That would generate $10 million over a three-year period. If voters reject the proposal, the tax rate would fall in the 2012-13 school year, meaning a potential savings of about $69 for the owner of a house valued at $200,000. Needs include roof repairs and replacing single-pane windows in the oldest part of the school, and upgrading outdated bathrooms and the electrical system. Officials also want to deepen part of the indoor pool to make it safer for competitive swimmers, replace the deteriorating running track and install artificial turf on the football field, which suffers from poor drainage. Similar athletic projects at other schools have been funded with community and corporate dollars. We endorse the referendum request, but strongly urge District 120 to make a good-faith effort to seek other revenue sources for the athletic projects to help hold down costs.